Sebring Bike Weekend

September 2022

Ride & Relax

Sebring Bike Weekend

The 2022 version of the Sebring Bike Weekend was held in September in the beautiful Highlands area of Central Florida. The routes were beautiful but challenging. Our Friday route took us on a 67 mile ride around Lake Istokpoga and Lake Placid. Saturday’s route had 63 miles of hills, through orange groves, past so many lakes and through small Florida towns. Twelve hardy riders took on the 104 mile Bok Tower Century which included over 1,900 feet of climbing. Sunday’s ride sent us to picturesque Highland Hammocks State Park for the traditional group photo and either a 26 mile ride around Lake Jackson and Sebring, or on to the 42 mile Henscratch Tour. All under the beautiful skies of Central Florida.

Our host hotel The Inn On The Lakes in Sebring was a wonderful place to base our ride as each day started at the hotel. They also catered our Saturday Night Dinner, which was brought indoors from the pool patio because of the weather. The food was great, there were lots of door prizes to give away, and a new champion of the Men’s Sharpest Tan Line Competition, Oscar! He moves on to Regionals. Good luck Oscar!

It was a magical weekend! Many new friendships were made and we all enjoyed the food and drink and the small town atmosphere of Sebring. Thank you Marty, Rick and Toby from Team Stormriders, Robert from South Broward Wheelers and all others for your help support! Until next year!

Ride Protocol, Please Read!

  • The ride will gather rain or shine. The ride will not start if it is raining, but it will start if it’s not raining.
  • Please always remember: SAFETY FIRST! Use verbal and hand signals to call out hazards. Signal your turns, especially if you are turning left where other riders may be going straight.
  • Use the same impeccable riding etiquette that you use in your usual Saturday group ride.
  • There will be groups and individual riders together. Make a plan ahead of time to ride with your group, or hang on with other groups. Staying in a group and rotating is highly recommended on breezy days.
  • We plan to start the Friday and Saturday rides by 7:30 AM. For Sunday we’ll start at 8:00 AM. But don’t worry if you forgot your helmet in the room or you didn’t finish breakfast in time. We won’t start without you as long as you let us know you’ll be late.
  • Each route will be marked on the roads with their own color. We will announce the color the morning of the ride. You may also follow your printed map, or your GPX map.
  • Please be courteous to your fellow riders. Be courteous to the public as well. It’s our chance to be ambassadors for the sport we love.
  • If you need food or hydration before or after the rest stop, or SAG driver will be stocked with packaged food and cold drinks. There are many other sources along the way such as convenience stores.
  • Take pictures! Take selfies! Take group shots! Please be safe when you are handling a camera or phone while you’re riding!
  • Post your pictures on your social media and our Facebook page! Hashtag us with #sebringbikeweekend. We all want to share in your adventure!
  • Members of the Highlands Pedalers Bicycle Club will be joining us on every day of the ride. Although they are not tour guides, more talkative members may offer up stories and help us find our way on the routes. They also marked the roads for us, so please thank them.
  • This is a group ride, not a race, or even a training ride. Let’s try to keep the pace under control until we get out of town on every ride. Faster riders and groups will move to the front and establish their pace. Unless you want to ride alone, try to stick with a group so you don’t get lost and you won’t be alone if there is a mechanical or other problem.
  • If you find yourself alone, be aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to the map. If you become lost, ask for directions and try to get yourself back on the route. Don’t panic, make it part of the adventure.
  • Sunday’s ride will be at a leisurely pace to Highland Hammocks Park. It may be considered a recovery ride. We’ll stay together until we reach the park for our annual group photo. Faster riders can get up to speed for the remainder of the ride.
  • We are ambassadors of our club and our sport. Always be in control of your situation. Always follow traffic laws and safe riding practices. Be courteous to the locals. Smile.
  • When the weekend is over, drive safely and share your experiences when you get back home. If you are on Facebook or Instagram, put up your pics and comments. We would love to see them! Tag us at #sebringbikeweekend
  • Pictures or not, full or empty tummy, strayed from route and lost the map, don’t dismay! It’s all about a positive attitude!
  • I hope you can make it! It’s always more fun when you’re there!